Saturday, September 25, 2010

Lots more going on at the Apple Orchard here lately. Tons more varieties of apples are now ripe - though we still stick with our favorite Jonathon's. And a slew of other goodies are now available as well, including these fabulous Steuben grapes. Yum! Makes my mouth just water thinking about them.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Matt and I finally made it out a few weekends ago and dined out at the famed, historic Willard Inn in Franklin. This little dining spot is quite charming with it's history and breezy, cool patio space. Can definitely see why so many people love it! :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

When our Moby Wrap came in a week or two ago - we couldn't help but try it out! And obviously lacking the real object-that-needs-wrapping we had to improvise. Insert poor, unsuspecting chihuahua here. :) It was actually very easy to figure out - especially since we read up before hand and even watched a blog video or two about how to use it, etc. And look how well it holds a chihuahua! :)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Pretty sure this is only the beginning folks. It is probably a good thing that I will soon be too tired with caring for a newborn to craft - because I am already halfway through the jumbo sized jar of mod podge I just bought. That stuff is addicting!

I got it with the idea that I would just mod podge on some of the left over fabric strips from the Heather Bailey bunting and quilt I made for the baby's room onto some clothes pins to make fun fridge clips. Especially since my mind has gone to mush and I've been told that it will only get worse from here...it helps to clip things to the fridge. Invites to events we should go to, our grocery list, bills, etc. I've even gotten in the habit of sitting down every Sunday afternoon and writing out a little "notes about this week" page full of different things going on both to remind myself and to keep my hubby in the loop.

Well, what started with fridge clips soon spread into dresser drawer liners for the nursery. We bought the dresser on craigslist and yes, I cleaned out the drawers, but a nice drawer liner seemed just the thing to make it seem brand new, clean, fresh and ready for baby clothes, etc. So, in addition to the gigantic jar of mod podge - I also bought 18 sheets of 12 x 12 pink polka dotted scrap book paper.

Here's the before shot:

I was really hoping to find a nice roll of wrapping paper in the same sort of theme - but alas no. And plus, Hobby Lobby had a 50% sale on the scrapbook paper so for under 50 cents a sheet I couldn't go wrong.

Monday, September 20, 2010

“...Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person...If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."

Since preggo at the pool gets a little too many stares these days, and since it's been a tad cooler anyways, apple orchards have been my stomping grounds of choice here lately.

Our favorite place to visit is the Pleasant View Anderson Apple Orchard. No visit is complete without at least a 1/2 peck of Jonathon apples and one large apple cider slushie. Maybe add in a caramel apple or a handful of candy corn and you're golden!

P.P.S. It helps to have a hubby who isn't that into caramel apples. this means more caramel apple for you! :) I was able to get a decent shot of him actually trying it - but he was pretty much not having it. Something about the caramel being too thick and chewy - jeez that is the best part!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Food cravings: Random craving for Yoohoo - though once we bought it didn't taste as good as I imagined. Think my taste buds are a little off kelter though because we went to the apple orchard and the slushie was just eh...and nothing really sounds that horribly good right now. Though my husband did made some killer chocolate chip pancakes yesterday morning - yum!! And milk - I am downing milk like crazy!

Milestones: Picked up sensitive wipes and newborn diapers to be ready and washed her going home outfit!

Oh, and this: Delivery date predictions are starting to roll in - random stranger lady at TJ Maxx said Sept 27 - coworker says Sept 24. Due date is October 3rd - though my ORIGINAL due date according to the calendar/cycle was supposed to be Sept. 18! Dr. pushed it back since I was measuring small.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Sorry for all the baby posts here lately. Some of you are probably pretty sick of looking at every little nook and cranny of our nursery...I am obsessed I admit. :)

Since I plan on breastfeeding I knew this little pillow was going to be a must! And what is a Boppy without an adorable cover?? I found this cover - called Emily's Garden - on Target.com but it said it was only available online not in stores and then it was sold out or out of stock. So I finally gave up on Target and just ordered one off Amazon. I washed and dried it and excitedly put it on my Boppy. Then two days later make it out to a local Target and WHAT DID I FIND?? 6, oh yeah, six - of these on the shelf. NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES, huh?! ONLINE ONLY, huh?!?! Yeah, well - way to tick off a hormonal preggo lady Target! :/ Seriously, I could have saved like $5 in shipping. Whatever. I will get over it - I still love you, Target.

Plus I may just use the opportunity to grab another cover in the same pattern - so when one gets dirty and has to be in the wash - I can still gaze happily at the birds, bunnies, bumble bee and turtles! :)

For more info about the Boppy Pillow - visit their website http://www.boppy.com/. It's great for feeding, lounging, play and sitting!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

So excited to have this little gal for our little gal! :) I used my 20% coupon at BuyBuy Baby and got her for $4 off the original price! Not too bad! Now, my only worry is that she squeaks - and as a result looks AND sounds like a dog toy. I accidentally squeaked her and our dog Showbiz went crazy - should stop staring and whining no matter how many "no's" I said. :/

There is a lot of hype around this little giraffe. Honestly I think it is just plain cute. But here's the whole back story on this 46 year old Parisian toy - Sophie the Giraffe.

Will definitely want to be sure to pick up a few of these toy clips to make sure we don't lose it though! It's like a pacifer clip that goes on the baby's shirt - but this straps one end around the toy and the other to the stroller!

Monday, September 13, 2010

We didn't name our pup after a pizza place, oh no, she was a show off from the start. Just look at her hamming it up with my Grandma Wally who came to visit along with my Aunt Linda few weekends ago. What we call her: Showbiz, Showbuzz, Show, Biz-dog, Biz - and the occasional slip-up of Showla (a mix of Showbiz and Lola when we are tired and can't figure out who to yell at for being ornery. :) )

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Milestones: Finished up our classes and had our maternity shoot taken by the wonderful Jessica Limeberry from Lemongrass Photography - can't wait to see the pics! Had my first cervical check at the doc last week - oh fun. Not dilated yet, but cervix is softening. Woot.

Oh, and this: I feel like crap a lot of the time now. Tired and my feet, legs, knees and back hurt - plus Braxton Hicks - I think. Fun times! :) I still sleep really well, just wake up with sore hips and back. Somedays I feel like I am coming down with some awful cold - but then I don't. Stuffy nose, sneezing, etc.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Milestones: Carseat is installed in the car, first load of baby clothes and blankets have been washed, I am almost finished lining the dresser drawers with pretty pink polka dotted scrapbook paper. Our rocker came in the mail and it put together in the room! We have a hamper now...almost all complete! Might need a diaper pail of some sort to squeeze in the room yet - but we are almost ready!! Boppy cover came in the mail, so did our Moby wrap...things are looking ready! If only I felt as ready as everything looks!

Oh, and this: Energy levels really ebb and flow. One minute I am an insanely tired grouch monster who just needs to go to bed no matter if it is 3 in the gosh darn afternoon and the next day I am little miss sunshine with enough energy to organize my bathroom drawer, fold up the tissue paper sheets and make dinner. I get two insanely exhausted days to one good one - go figure.

Monday, September 6, 2010

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people."

Saturday, September 4, 2010

My husband and I's nightly ritual has come to include a nightcap spent just sitting in the baby's room. We sit and gaze about at everything and try to imagine what life is going to be like in a few short weeks. So hard to believe.

P.S. Totally amazed at how wrapped around her finger this little girl has her daddy already. And he hasn't even met her in person yet. I've never seen him so interested in clothes in my life - made my heart melt watching him stand in her closet looking at each little onesie. I also recently found a mysterious pair of fashion tights with little purple hearts on them in one of her dresser drawers that I had never seen before. He later told me that he had seen them at the store and got them for her - swoon! My little girl is so lucky to have such a doting daddy.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Wow, those four weeks flew by. I was joking with Matt on our last day this week that I don't think I feel ready to be done with the class - I don't feel quite qualified after those four 2-hr long classes! The first class was about the birthing process, the second about different laboring positions and comfort measures, the third about the hospital experience and included a tour at the end and the fourth was caring for your newborn.

I am glad we did the classes, but really could go longer I think. Maybe an optional extended classes for those really have no clue. :)

No, in all seriousness I think they did help. If anything are we familiar with driving to the hospital from our house, parking, what floor to go to, which button to push to make the elevator go up (the new elevators are designed funny - the up button is kinda hidden), how to get in and out of the maternity wing without setting off the alarms. Where the snack machines are, that there are complimentary cookies by the front desk, how to use the valet parking service, etc. Not to mention that there was a lot of good information we went over. I think it helped both Matt and I to be just a little more prepared and to be more comfortable in the hospital - as much as we can be anyway. :)

Next class - Breastfeeding Basics! Then we are done with classes - only how many more weeks till the baby gets here?! It is a little overwhelming to think about! Time has gone by so fast!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Food cravings: Concord grapes have really hit the spot, still loving my honey dew for breakfast, cold cereal is always fabulous (honey nut cheerios and frosted mini wheats). Pizza has always sounded good. I've pretty much shunned of anything really salty - like chips and salsa (a normal summer staple for me) and I practically gag on anything I consider too salty! Kinda crazy! Not as hungry as I have been in other months - definitely less room in the belly.

Milestones: Stroller is officially put together! And we have a carseat! For some reason this has been a big issue for me. I have been feeling a little panicky because we didn't have a carseat. And the hospital won't let you take her home without one - so something in my mind just kept saying, "we need a carseat, we need a carseat, we need a carseat." I am resting fairly easy now with that out of the way. Though I will be 100% better once it is completely installed in my car...

Oh, and this: Pretty sure I am having braxton hicks contractions. Very tight, very unpleasant and almost painful. Oy!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Homemade Mallobars - Yum! Marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers - where could you go wrong with this recipe? Must try it!

5 Homemade DIY Natural Fabric Softeners | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
Been noticing a significant improvement in the sensitive skin department (due to pregnancy hormones) after not only switching out my face-wash and body wash to sensitive only - but also switching our laundry detergent to a dye and fragrance free (so painful - I love my lavender scented stuff) version. Now looking to replace our fabric softener too. Either going the free and clear route from the store or these DIY ideas.